Stick Man

This is another fantastic book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. WOW! A while ago my mum bought Alice (my 2 year old) 'The Gruffalo' and since then we've never looked back. When I came home with 'Stick Man' Alice sat on her bed and listened to the WHOLE story without one word. She didn't turn the pages quickly / comment on the pictures / ask for a biscuit - nothing. She just wanted to hear the story and soak in the beautiful illustrations.

I don't quite know why Julia Donaldson's books work so well with Alice. Perhaps it's the rhythm and rhyme, perhaps the illustrations, perhaps the combination of both and perhaps the wonderful story lines. But this has overnight become a firm favourite.

And, if your child starts talking about a tiger in the book (there isn't one), have a look at the cat near the end. As Alice says: 'thought was a cat. Wasn't. Was a TIGER.'

You can't read this and then look at a dog chasing a stick in the same way ever again. I'm very grateful to this partnership - long may they bring out such brilliant books.

The Fish in Room 11

I found this book totally by accident when I was searching publishers to write to with my own story. A brief glance at the outline, and I thought it would be worth having a look. And I'm glad I did! Compared by some to Roald Dahl, I would say that Heather Dyer's book is not quite at the whackiness of Dahl, but it's pretty good.

Toby, an orpan from birth, lives in a seaside hotel and is bossed around by the 'orrible hotel owner. One day, a trip down to the beach brings him into contact with Eliza Flot, a mermaid. Several problems lead Eliza and her parents to take up residence in Room 11 of the Hotel. Needless to say, the officious owner is less than happy.

The way Heather deals with him reminds me of Dahl's brilliance in setting up an atrocious character and then knocking them down with a big punch. This is a great book for someone who is unlikely to read much without a push. It's exciting, fun, and not the kind of story you'd want to stop at half way through.

Like Roald Dahl? Then you'll like this too. I'm definitely going to find Heather's other books.

Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy Part 1

I read this a month or two back, and it was probably my favourite underpants story so far - it definitely had the most amusing (and annoying) character in Melvin Sneedley. I've just been reading on Dav Pilkey's website that Melvin was based on a real kid in his class - it makes for a funny story - go have a look at www.pilkey.com and go to his books. Underneath the 'What's it About' for this book you'll find the story about the real kid Melvin is based on.

My favourite part is when the head teacher comes in and wonders why everyone is dressed in waterproofs and has umbrellas up. A sneeze from Melvin and all is revealed.

I cannot imagine that there is an 8 year old boy in the world who would not enjoy these books. I would have. Heck, I do!